2013 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Day Creeping Near

Can this player be the deep threat the Patriots need? (USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Editor: James Christensen

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Updated April 15th

NFL Rosters have undergone a transformation these past couple of weeks, as the free agency market has made teams adjust to new-found holes on their teams.

How will this affect the 2013 NFL Draft? Take a look at my latest 2013 NFL Mock Draft and find out – the 2013 NFL Draft is just ten short days away!

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon (SCOUTING REPORT)
There are a lot of opinions on Dion Jordan – mine falls somewhere in the middle – but there is one thing that isn’t up for debate: Jordan is unlike any other prospect in this draft. He has the package of speed, length and coverage ability that no other OLB prospect has. I’d love to grab him in the mid-first round, but I have heard from two reliable sources that the Chiefs are highly interested in adding the former Oregon Duck with the first pick.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia (SCOUTING REPORT)
If Blaine Gabbert isn’t their future quarterback, Geno Smith needs to be the pick here. He is our #1 prospect and a future franchise QB in my opinion. Or, the Jaguars can ride Gabbert to another disappointing season and target a QB from the loaded 2014 NFL Draft class.

3. Oakland Raiders
Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah (SCOUTING REPORT)
If the Raiders don’t want to make a play for Geno Smith, then Star – and his recently cleared heart – should be the pick here. There are so many holes on this roster, that nearly any position could be in play here.

4. Philadelphia Eagles
Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M* (SCOUTING REPORT)
Bookend tackles of Jason Peters and Luke Joeckel would be a pretty site for new head coach Chip Kelly. Either quarterback, Michael Vick or Nick Foles, is going to need some solid protection.

6. Cleveland Browns
Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU (SCOUTING REPORT)
Mingo has the speed and flexibility to become a dynamic edge player for the Browns. Ansah or Jordan could also be the pick here, but I see something special in Mingo – that closing speed – that is special.

7. Arizona Cardinals
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (SCOUTING REPORT)
Whomever is taking snaps next year for the Cardinals, they need a better offensive line. Johnson really came on strong this year for the Sooners and has the athleticism needed to be a stout pass-blocker.

8. Buffalo Bills
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU (SCOUTING REPORT)
Is Kevin Kolb the “answer” in Buffalo? Probably not, but the Bills needed to make a change. Ryan Nassib, EJ Manuel or Matt Barkley could be options here as well, but the defensive potential of Ansah may ultimately win out.

9. New York Jets
Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama (SCOUTING REPORT)
The Lions passing on Milliner is a boon for the Jets. If they can trade Darrelle Revis and draft his (cheaper) replacement, the new front office will be doing cartwheels.

10. Tennessee Titans
Jonathan Cooper, OL, North Carolina (SCOUTING REPORT)
Adding Cooper to the interior line is exactly what the Titans need. Grabbing him ahead of Warmack might surprise draft onlookers, but I feel they might love his athletic upside.

11. San Diego Chargers
Chance Warmack, OL, Alabama* (SCOUTING REPORT)
The Chargers need help on their offensive line. Despite anything you saw at the combine, Chance Warmack is a football player and a darn good one. He will be a starter inside for a decade. Watch out for a trade with Cleveland to try and land an offensive tackle.

12. Miami Dolphins
Kenny Vaccaro, CB/S, Texas (SCOUTING REPORT)
As many draft picks as the Dolphins have, they can go after whomever they wish. Adding Vaccaro to cover the AFC East slot receivers and receiving backs (Amendola, Spiller, Vereen…) would give the Dolphins a leg up on their performance from 2012.

13. Tampa Bay Bucs
Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame (SCOUTING REPORT)
Eifert is a monster talent that might very well go later than this, but has the skill to be a top-ten pick. If this isn’t the Jets pick due to the Revis trade, Eifert would be a nice target for Josh Freeman or whoever is running the offense next year in Tampa.

14. Carolina Panthers
Sheldon Richardson, DL, Missouri (SCOUTING REPORT)
Adding Richardson next to Sione Fua, with Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy on the outside is an intriguing thought for the Panthers defense. Richardson, when his head is in the game, is a top ten talent.

15. New Orleans Saints
Sharrif Floyd, DL, Florida (SCOUTING REPORT)
The Saints could go a lot of different directions, but picking up a versatile lineman like Floyd would be too good to pass up here. Floyd has top-5 potential.

16. St. Louis Rams
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia (SCOUTING REPORT)
There isn’t another prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft with the ability to electrify an offense that Tavon Austin has. I don’t care how you do it, just give him the ball and let him start chunking yardage.

47 Responses to “2013 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Day Creeping Near”

Enjoyed the various comments. I do not believe the Patriots will take a wide receiver in the first round or double-dip in the early rounds for a WR. Likely will take one WR this draft in the 3rd round where they hoped to get Sanders from Pittsburgh with that pick. I think Stedman Bailey or perhaps Aaron Dobson.

I believe the #1 need is a defensive end like Tank Carradine or Okafor from Texas. Margus Hunt is 26 and don’t see him as a first round pick. There was little pass rush against the Ravens in the championship game without Jones available, so depth is needed.

With Talib on a one year contract and current cornerback Dowling not staying healthy a CB in the 2nd round is likely. I’m not sold on Talib being worth $5 million and he would cost more next year if he plays better.

On the other hand, the Pats brought in LB’s like Arthur Brown and Kiko Alonso for a look recently, so there’s a good chance they trade out of the first round to fill the needs of DE pass rusher, LB who can play on passing downs, CB, and WR. Can’t get all 4 positions with only 3 picks.

David hit the nail right on the head and is exactily as my thinking goes too. Although I’m not sure how many LB’s out there can really cover many WR’s? Nothing against Brown or Alonso there good LB prospects.

Why do people feel like we need more offense especially in the first round? The main reason why we haven’t won another Super Bowl is our poor defense!!! The Pats need to focus on defense at least in the one of the first two rounds. I just don’t get it!

They put up 13 points in last year’s AFC game and 17 points in Super Bowl XLVI. Sounds like the offense could us a spark to me. I understand the importance of defense but the offense should not be ignored because of it. TFB is your best player so why would you not want to give him all the tools he needs to be at his best. They gave him Moss and they broke all kind of weapons. Get him a stud WR and watch him go.

Understood! But we tried this approach before in 2007. Yes, we had one of the greatest offenses in NFL history and we still lost in the Super Bowl!! I don’t mean to devalue the importance of offense. But, the Pats won Super Bowls with a good balance of defense and offense. Unfortunately, right now we are relying too heavily on our offense. And as we have seen in recent years a very good defense can stifle a great offense in a game. Tom Brady shouldn’t have to asked to carry most of the burden to win games. Our defense should be good enough to hold other teams when he is having an off day. Which can and has happened in the playoffs.

As a Tampa fan, Eifert rd. 1 & the best available corner rd. 2 I can see, but a NT in the third would be a much better pick than a DE. Willaims from Mo. So. would be a good choice here, esp. as the Bucs have two journeyman starters to let him develop slowly.

Please explain why you have the Titans taking two offensive lineman with first two picks???? Cooper makes sense, Menelik Watson in round 2 makes ZERO sense. Titans have NO need for two OL in the top half of the draft. Adding Cooper would complete our OL. Only two reasons for Watson pick, it was a mistake by you or you have no clue about Titans needs.

I have my doubts we will take two WR’s, I think the best Patriot system fit is Markus Wheaton at #59, while a later pick (7th) I like WR Mark Harrison who would be a developmental player. If Bill takes Wheaton I can see him getting about 20- 30 catches during the season, Harrison about 10-15.

btw not trying to be critical of Russell here who is, after all, as always, giving informative commentary of a wr who may be there in the 7th – just saying that by the time the 7th rocks around there will be a player or two they probably have a 4th or 5th round grade on who they would pick regardless if he is a safety, o line man, whatever. may be real interesting to see a few ufa in camp at wr.

A double-dip at WR would be great, especially in light of missing out on Emmanuel Sanders. Dobson is one of my favorite prospects in this draft, ad I think he’s well worth the pick at #59. Hunter, on the other hand, has injury issues and problems with dropping the ball–his speed and size won’t mean anything if he doesn’t play with greater concentration. In this scenario, I’d rather the Patriots traded back for an extra 4th, and grabbed Quentin Patton instead.

As to Mathieu, he has enough red flags (size, speed, freelancing, off-field issues, double-digit failed drug tests) that he’s barely worth a 7th-rounder, regardless of who’s on the board. Having D.J. Hayden still available, however, makes selecting Mathieu even more unwise; take Hayden, and let another team deal with the headaches.

I disagree about the double dipping at WR, too many other weak spots like pass rusher and DB. I agree about Mathieu being far to great a risk for a 3rd. Take a short at him with a 7th perhaps but otherwise no.

I think the pats will take Mark Harrison. He is a very good, very underrated WR from Rutgers who has drawn some anquan boldin comparisons. And he is 6-3. Him, Amendola, Gronk, and Hernandez should make for a fine group of receivers. He’s also considered a late round pick right now.

I love the double dip at WR. I believe both Hunter n Dobson will be terrific pros. Just not a big fan going with honey badger in 3rd. Prefer the 2 other cb ‘s u have slotted after him, Hayden or Webb. Hunt truly peaks my interest if fallen this low.

Not sure what the infatuation is with Jesse Williams. DL is certainly a need, but i dont think it is a first round priority. We paid Armond Armstead pretty good money, and i suspect he will see the bulk of the time next to Wilfork. And to draft him as the heir apparent, doesnt seem like a great option either, as we already have Kyle Love and I am not sure a NT is as big of a priority in the new Pass First NFL. Rather grab Bennie Logan or Brandon Williams later if we trade back and grab a receiver a defensive back and a coverage backer. Then grab another receiver as a late round flyer. Not high on Mathieu either, almost prefer BW Webb

You make good points in that there is some good mid round DT prospects this year. Love is a useful DT but will never be confused with a difference maker. I’d prefer a better pass rusher, inside or out, for our 1st but Williams deserves to be on the short list of possables.

Do we really need 2 Ol prospects in the 7th rd? Does anyone expect them to be better then Zusevies, McDonald, Cannon, Svitch, Drahiem, Tennant, Hix or Richard? Much rather take chances on high risk/ high reward guys like Ray Ray Armstrong or Travon Mathieu then guys who don’t have a snowballs chance of sticking.

For good reason JH, he is another of those guys with great phyisical abilitys but like Trevon Mathieu his off field antics got him booted from Miami U, He resorted to transfering to Faulkner but if I read correctly even little Faulkner had second thoughts about him so he hasn’t played for a year and a half or so. To be clear I’m not advocating that BB select them even in the 7th but I wouldn’t throw a fit if he does.

I actually want Hunter over Patterson. But I don’t see Patterson falling out of the first. Keenan Allen is dropping quick too but that far? Nahhh. I actually really like your picks of Dobson and Mathieu. Love this mock from a Pats perspective

The drugs are a small thing, the lack of size, the mediocre athleticism, the limited role he will be able to play in the pros. All of that adds up to guy that will be a returner, and slot CB/ back up ‘SS’ at best. 4th round talent + UDFA character concerns = 6th round prospect.

my thoughts exactly on Mathieu – I don’t have much of an issue with his drug issues in the past. It’s more of his utility as a player in the NFL due to size and role limitations. He is one of those players who one can expect to easily be great at the college level but not transition well to the pros.

All in all, I have no issue with getting Mathieu in the 6th, 7th or UDFA but no way would I want my team to spend a 3rd rounder on him and definitely not in a year where early picks are already at a premium anyway.